I do not own One Piece

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Upon the island coming into view which Taro grew up on, he felt the sickening twist of his insides. Something he hadn't felt for years. It almost made him feel small again. His past replaying over in his head, only a hand-full of memories which he wanted to keep. The scars along his back burned with each passing memory.

Back then he swore he would never come back. Both him and Kimiko. A promise they made to each other.

Now they were given no other choice. He had to return. Though, he wasn't simply returning to bring gifts nor any joyful moments. Instead, the kingdom he was once promised would be brought down in ruins.

He had spent years spreading rumors to keep other passing pirates out of the waters of the kingdom. The smallest bit of remorse for the kingdom he grew up in had simmered down. Some rumors were true, others stretched the lies a bit. However, no pirate ever to enter was able to leave to share the faults of the rumors.

Standing beside him was Kimiko. Her laid back posture had stiffened as she looked over the upcoming island. Memories of how own playing through her head, ones that she wanted to sink to the bottom of the ocean. The silver band on her arm growing painfully more aware of.

"Nikita did confirm both Sato and Mitsu are here." Kimiko muttered, "They intend to have Mitsu go through the coming of age ceremony. Apparently Bell- Ayami is unable to have children, so they have Mitsu here as a replacement."

Taro winced at the slip up from Kimiko then sighed. "I didn't mean to meet Mitsu like this."

He should have insisted upon meeting his daughter the moment Sato confirmed she was alive. He should have had her on his crew, just like he should have insisted Sato stay with him. He should have been a better father to the twins, and Makoto, and raised them all with Sayomi. He should have brought along the downfall of this kingdom ages ago, and hoped to have brought his little sister with him.

However, Taro Kiyomizu, at the root of it all, was a coward.

He knew deep down that if it hadn't been for the fated chance of meeting a lone red-headed pirate, who claimed she was waiting on a signal, he wouldn't have even gotten the courage to leave in the first place. Then, when Sayomi became pregnant, he was too much of a coward to have her stay with him.

Nobody had called him a coward outright, but he knew that's what he must be deep down. He should have had the courage to do this all before it became what it is today. Perhaps then, Sato and Mitsu would still have their mother. Perhaps they could have grown up with him, their father. Perhaps Sato wouldn't have been drawn into the life of piracy, a life that while it's terrible, isn't something he necessarily wanted for his children.

Becoming a pirate for Taro had not been something he dreamed of. The new of Gol D. Roger didn't reach his ears like most, Sayomi had told him the story. However, Taro did find a comfort in living as the pirate had. He wasn't seeking out the One Piece, the last thing he wanted was another crown. When he became a pirate, it was simply to be free. To feel freedom as he had never felt before, to have his life-long bodyguard Kimiko feel freedom. Becoming a pirate wasn't something he would glorify to his children, had he raised them, but he also knew that becoming a pirate wouldn't be something so terrible.

He did fall in love with a pirate, after all.

"Captain," Both Taro and Kimiko turned around to look towards the soft spoken musician. "I believe that is the ship belonging to the Straw Hats."

The Captain and First Mate blinked at the ship with the lion. True to Kuro's word, the ship was indeed the Straw Hats's. They had seen it many times in the newspapers to know.

"They got around all of Nikita's traps." Kimiko smiled.

"That's the crew that Katsu joined, right?" Taro smiled faintly when Kimiko nodded.

She was the cutest child he had ever seen, something his crew agreed on. Even when she had no memories, they would all see she had a rather big personality. The child had taken an instant liking to him and his crew. Saving her had been one of the things Taro knew he did right on. He called Mamoru for a few years to check up on Katsu, at least until Sato and Makoto were brought into the picture. Then he placed his efforts into keeping his son's safe while looking for Mitsu. After he finished up with this, he hoped he could see Katsu again. He wondered if her memories had returned, and just how much of hell she was causing on the crew she joined.

"Perhaps we'll run into them after we settle everything." Kimiko answered fondly.

"I bet Sato and Mitsu would love to meet Katsu." Taru mused, "I want to meet her Captain. He's gotta be great for her to have joined."

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The crowd was demanding blood.

This person was taking too long to move.

Ayami had the record time for finishing. A total of five minutes and thirteen seconds. Sato had the record time for failing. Thirty seconds the second time he attempted.

They wanted, demanded, to know if Mitsu would hold a new record. If she was strong enough to kill one of those boys. How fast she could kill. How she would defend when they fought back. Who she would pick.

The pirates in the crowd felt the bloodlust filling the arena. They either felt angered or sickened from the demands of the nobles. Some felt both.

"Mina." The roaring dulled as Katsu's voice bellowed loudly to the arena. While she had yet to make a physical move, she was beginning to do something.

Robin zoomed in on Katsu's face. Whatever she had to say would likely be important.

Katsu raised her head up to look up at the sky for a moment. She pulled out the different details of the clouds, how they had reminded her of her peaceful moments on the Sunny. Her bottom lip trembled for only a second before she bit down on it.

"I've got some things to say, so listen well!" She paused for a moment. "Nami. I can't pay you back, so I'm sorry for my debt. If you go in my sketchbook, I've worked on the drawings we had discussed of the islands to go with your maps. Some probably need more details, so I'm giving you permission to fix those pictures. Just don't let Luffy touch them." A small smile formed on her face at the thought of their Captain messing with the picture. "You better make sure to map out the whole world!"

The navigator watching the stream froze. The crowd forming around her seemed confused as to what was going on. Nami had expected the artist to do something weird, but never once had she expected Katsu to be calling out to her specifically. Her eyes widened and she felt herself tremble as she thought to why Katsu might be giving the speech.

"Katsu, you idiot! You can't leave without paying me back!" Nami cried, biting down on her lip. "That's not how debt works!"

"Usopp!" This time Katsu turned her eyes to look at the frightened sniper in the audience. She gave a small smile towards him when they locked eyes. "You're absolutely the most cowardly brave person I know. And you're one hell of a sniper. I dare to say that you've become a brave warrior of the sea!"

Usopp definitely knew she was looking right at him. His eyes were wide and for a moment he stopped trembling. Instead a dreaded feeling filled him. Sniffling, he wiped his arms across his eyes as tears threatened to spill.

By now the audience was looking around in confusion. Their questions were hushed as they wanted to hear what was coming next.

Italus was ready to step in, to call the shots to be fired, but Ayami had stepped in. She whispered something in his ear, and when she pulled back he seemed to cross his arms and wait.

"Chopper!" Katsu called out next, looking over the audience to see if she had somehow missed the doctor. Finally her gaze landed on the snail Robin was holding, and just hoped he was watching. She didn't know what plan they had, but it would be done soon. "You're the one of three doctors I trust, and easily the best one. I'll miss our nap sessions, but you still have Zoro. You've got the biggest heart of us all, so don't beat yourself up over something you can't fix. You'll become the best doctor in the world that will cure everything!"

The reindeer, upon hearing his message, busted into tears. He didn't care if some of the citizens from the area began to look at him. He needed to get to Katsu! Why was she telling him this?!

"Brook!" Katsu held her gaze on the snail, though she felt her throat tighten for a moment. "I've met many mucisians in my life. But by far you're the best one yet. The only fit for Luffy's crew! When you see Laboon again, show him our adventures in my sketchbook!"

Standing on the ship, Brook looked towards the town. He could hear Katsu's words being broadcasted across the town. A frown set on his face as he looked on confused. "Why would I do that, Katsu-san, when you'll be the one to show it?"

"Franky!" Katsu carried on. "Thank you for everything! I won't be able to help on your next project, but I'm sure you don't really need me there for it. You're like a big brother to me, and I'm sure to the whole crew too. Make sure Sunny remains as pristine as she is now!"

He had been holding it in, but as soon as Katsu mentioned him being a big brother, big fat tears fell from his eyes. The cyborg held his arms to his face as he wailed loudly. "Little sis!"

"Robin!" This time Katsu looked directly at the woman, seeing her eyes widen. "You're the smartest person I know, and I'm thankful that you've shared your knowledge with me. You're one of my favorite people, and I would do anything to make you proud. I can't wait for you to learn the world's true history!"

The woman felt herself begin to shake for a moment before she managed to collect herself. Her eyes staring down at Katsu worriedly.

"Sanji!" Katsu's eyes traveled over to the chef. "You are the only person talented enough to make food good enough for me to taste. I'm honored to have been fed your food. You are, without a doubt, the best chef in the world. No food compares to yours, Luffy definitely spotted talent when he picked you. You'll have to draw the all blue when you find it, I bet it's as beautiful as you've described!"

It took everything in Sanji not to swoon and jump down to save the artist. However, her speech had only started a bigger fire in him.

"Zoro!" When Katsu looked to the swordsman she almost froze at the dark look on his face. "You're the ultimate nap buddy, but I'm sorry I can't be there anymore. Also, you gotta make them listen to your directions more! I did draw that flower you gave me, so if you wanted proof that I did it its in my sketchbook. You can keep that picture." Katsu gave a small smile, "I already know you'll become the world's best swordsman, because Luffy deserves no less, but try to keep your other eye."

Zoro glared at Katsu during her speech. His hands clenching his swords tightly as he was ready to fight. He didn't know the direction she was going in, but he knew something was about to happen.

"Damn woman," Zoro growled, "That's not my name."

Finally, Katsu looked to Luffy, who was staring at her with a blank face. "Luffy. Thank you for giving me a chance on this crew. You're the only Captain I'd follow to the ends of the world. You deserve nothing but the best crew. After all, the Pirate King deserves nothing less from the best."

"Why are you saying it like that?" Luffy demanded, but stopped when he saw Katsu's lip tremble.

"Mina." Katsu's eyes began to burn and she swore she felt something warm run down her face. "Thank you for everything, but my journey ends here. Leave as soon as you can and finish it! On my desk is my last artwork to you all."

Her voice cracked as she continued. "I'm sorry to have dragged you all into this. And thank you for letting me be your artist!"

Reaching down, she pulled the sword and held it up. Tears began falling down her face as she looked at her brother. Her whole body trembled and she bit down on her lip to stop it from quivering.

"Sato, I love you." She whispered, "I'm sorry we didn't find each other sooner, and we lost so much time together."

He nodded, relaxing his arms at his sides. "It's okay, Mitsu. I love you too."

The sword covered in black as she held it. He nodded again, opening his arms. Tears of his own began to stream down his face as they locked eyes. After years of being without his twin, Sato had forgotten how easy it was to connect to her. How they would share unspoken words between each other easily.

Then she brought the sword down.

The crowd silenced.

Blood dripped to the ground and a pained grunt was the only noise to fill the air.

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End of Chapter 122!

Rough chapter, I personally had a hard time writing it. So thoughts?

Also, here is a little picture of Taro to kinda ease up the tension a little. You will notice, however, that he has short hair... Which may, or may not, be a little spoiler coming soon.

This is not edited.